Filmstudy - Filmstudy is a sophisticated and comprehensive statistical analysis of the Ravens defense that incorporates a participation-by-play tracking system. This unique analysis is the brain child of the author and provides our readers with the real story behind the Ravens’ top end defensive results in the National Football League. Make Russellstreetreport.com the source for all of your Ravens football news and the forum to talk about what the Ravens fans want to hear most.

Lombardi’s Way - A column from the 24×7 founder that focuses on the Ravens, the NFL, Baltimore, the world of sports or life’s inspirations.

Battle Plans - During the season, you can expect to find thoughtful analysis in each of our Game Previews. We bring out the chalk and then talk X’s and O’s. In the offseason, Dev Panchwagh — The Scientist, digs beneath the surface and serves up insightful commentary on issues facing the Ravens and the NFL. School is in session!

The Ravens did well to rest their starters – as long as it doesn’t backfire on Sunday

As Tony Lombardi so aptly noted in his game column (The Good, the Bad, and the Megan Fox), the Ravens closed out the 2012 regular season by playing their 5th preseason game of the year, closing out the 2012 regular season with a 23-17 defeat in Cincinnati.

I had no problems with John Harbaugh resting the walking wounded. When I saw the text of the Ravens inactives on my cell phone I realized Harbs was making a prudent decision – resting his injured vets – knowing that the chances of the Ravens moving to a 3rd seed were slim.

There was no way the Belichick Patriots were going to give up postseason positioning by losing to an obviously inferior Miami team. Those predictions were born out when the Patriots laid the mustard on the Miami Dolphins, 28-0. Besides, it was good to see Tyrod Taylor, Bernard Pierce, Anthony Allen, and David Reed get some needed work.

What wasn’t widely anticipated (outside of Indiana, maybe) was the Houston Texans getting blind-sided by the Indianapolis Colts. This blew my and many post season seeding pairs right out the window. Instead of playing the underperforming Texans on January 12-13, the Ravens, assuming they beat the Colts, now might play against the League’s potential Comeback Player of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year, and Most Valuable Player, all under the name of one Peyton Manning.

I knew the Ravens could take out the Texans on the road in Houston; but the Colts beat us to the punch. Now the Ravens might have to play in thin air against a quarterback who, over his stellar career, has owned us lock, stock and barrel.

I was concerned that the offensive play makers – minus the sore-shouldered Anquan Boldin - only stayed in for a couple of series. Considering the Ravens were working on only their 3rd game with a new offensive coordinator, I would have thought it important that Joe Flacco, Ray Rice, Torrey Smith, and others would have stayed on the field for at least 2 quarters to work out the remaining kinks of a new offensive philosophy.

They are only kinks but they still have to be worked out.

The national pundits picked up on that right away, stating that the Ravens squandered an opportunity to build on the excellent win they gained at home against the Giants. From Trent Dilfer and Mike & Mike on the 4 Letter Network, to analysts at the various dot coms, they were united in the opinion that the Ravens should have played – and stayed – with their starters. They downgraded the Ravens grades accordingly.

Time will tell who is right.

There is a way the Ravens can avoid playing in Denver in two weeks. Root for the Cincinnati Bengals to beat the Houston Texans this coming Saturday. Based on how the respective teams are currently playing, a Bengals upset victory over the Texans is a distinct possibility. That means the lowest seed Bengals would travel to highest seed Denver, and would have the Ravens travel to Foxborough to play the Patriots.

And THAT matchup strikes NO fear in the hearts of the Baltimore Ravens or their fans.

But first, we have to get past the Colts. I don’t want my football season to end on January 6. If the Ravens stumble and bumble out of the gate again on Sunday against another rookie quarterback and an already inspired Indianapolis team, you know the questions will be flying – hard and fast.

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About Fran "The Fan" Vojik

Fran Vojik has been a contributor to the Ravens24X7 site since 2005, first as a regular on the "Letters to T.L." page, then as the author of the Fran the Fan column. A huge Orioles and Ravens fan, he defines the term “homer.” A former season ticket holder of the Baltimore Colts, he now roots on the Ravens from his corner end zone seat in M&T Bank Stadium. His work makes him a regular traveler to various MLB and NFL cities and he’s watched both the Birds and Purple and Black in a variety of away stadiums. He brings a passionate and humorous perspective to the world of professional sports. Born in Highlandtown, and a graduate of Calvert Hall College and the University of Maryland, he lives on Furnace Creek in northern Anne Arundel County. He and his girlfriend, Sandy, have recently renovated his Man Cave, known as the “The Sports Palace," which contains many mementos from the Colts, Ravens, and Orioles. On days the Ravens play at home, Fran can usually be found tailgating at the Baltimore Fire Fighters Union Hall Local 734 , supporting the organization’s Widow’s and Orphan’s fund. More from Fran "The Fan" Vojik

2+ Comments TonyLombardi says Dusty728 Thanks Dusty. That is an article that deserves its own space. Maybe we can get someone to give a behind the scenes account of the great William Donald 17 hours ago

Folks please stop with the "Window of Opportunity" BS ... Really it is total bull "M&T Chant" !! Who's Window?? Ray Lewis and Ed Reed?? The only window I care about is Thompson Creeks Windows for helping to keep this site going. Sure Ray Lewis and Ed Reed are not getting younger however we have a strong core of play makers still coming up the ladder and doing a great job on the field.
As far as losing 4 of the last 5 that is also BS. We lost the last game with our 2nd team beating the Bengals 1st team in the 1st half last week. Maybe some of you missed that. The Ravens have a young team of depth that can step up and "Play Like a Raven" when needed.
Please NOTE..... The Bandwagon will make a final Stop Today and 12:00 Noon. Either GET OFF or Join The RAVENS for the 5th Year in the Postseason!

THe naysayers are here, welcome to 2013, the Ravens have lost what 4 of the past 5 games to end the season. That's nothing to feel good about going into the playoffs, so I don't feel good about this years playoff run.

For a team beset by injuries this year, it was more important that the Ravens treat this game as a "bye" week by resting their "walking wounded" and not incurring any more injuries. Apparently, they were able to accomplish that. The Ravens have played some of their best football in the post season and will have to continue this year as their "window of opportunity" is rapidly coming to a close.........

Filmstudy - Filmstudy is a sophisticated and comprehensive statistical analysis of the Ravens defense that incorporates a participation-by-play tracking system. This unique analysis is the brain child of the author and provides our readers with the real story behind the Ravens’ top end defensive results in the National Football League. Make Russellstreetreport.com the source for all of your Ravens football news and the forum to talk about what the Ravens fans want to hear most.

Lombardi’s Way - A column from the 24×7 founder that focuses on the Ravens, the NFL, Baltimore, the world of sports or life’s inspirations.

Battle Plans - During the season, you can expect to find thoughtful analysis in each of our Game Previews. We bring out the chalk and then talk X’s and O’s. In the offseason, Dev Panchwagh — The Scientist, digs beneath the surface and serves up insightful commentary on issues facing the Ravens and the NFL. School is in session!